These Natural Toothpastes Are The Secret To Whiter, Brighter Smiles

October 31, 2023

Quick question: How often do you think about your toothpaste? If your answer is a resounding, Uh, not really, let’s take a moment to chat about your trusty tube. Oral care is incredibly important: The smile is a pillar of the aesthetics of the face. Having bright teeth and healthy gums can transform an overall appearance. But it’s not just aesthetics—a healthy smile is vital for digestion and overall inflammation in the body. Seriously: Periodontal disease is linked to chronic, systemic inflammation in the body.

And considering you reach for your toothpaste twice a day to keep your teeth and gums healthy it’s certainly worth evaluating what sort of formula you’re using.

Enter: These high-quality, safe, and natural toothpastes. If you’re one to use natural and clean products elsewhere in your routine, it’s only—ahem—natural that you might want to consider a natural toothpaste as well. And the good news is that modern formulas are highly effective, come in a wide variety, and are about the same price as a standard tube. 

Here, the best options according to the mbg editorial team.

Best whitening

Cocoshine Whitening Toothpaste

Image by Cocoshine

Image by Cocoshine

• 3% concentration of nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) can help re-mineralize teeth (a fluoride alternative)
• Baking soda
• Silica
• Xylitol
• Coconut oil
• Aloe vera
• Free of fluoride, sulfates, parabens, propylene glycol, triclosan, peroxide, artificial dyes, and artificial sweeteners.

• Microbiome-friendly
• Innovative fluoride alternative helps remineralize the tooth
• Dentist formulated

• Only direct-to-consumer at the moment, so can only find it via the website
• Expensive

Best natural

Davids Premium Natural Toothpaste

Image by Davids

Image by Davids

Flavor(s)

Peppermint, Spearmint, Strawberry + Watermelon, Herbal Citrus Peppermint

• Baking soda
• Silica
• Xylitol
• Seaweed extract
• Peppermint, spearmint, anise, and orange peel essential oils
• Free of SLS, fluoride, parabens, propylene glycol, triclosan, peroxide, and artificial dyes

• Sustainable metal tube
• 98% USA origin ingredients

• 98% USA origin ingredients
• Not travel friendly

Best for bad breath

hello antiplaque + whitening fluoride free toothpaste

Image by hello

Image by hello

• Tea tree
• Coconut oil
• Farm grown peppermint
• Silica
• Glycerin
• Free of fluoride, dyes, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, SLS/sulfates, parabens, microbeads, triclosan, and gluten

• Comes in two sizes: 4.7 fl oz and 1.0 fl oz

• Contains stevia if you avoid that

Best tablet

Humankind Toothpaste Tablets

Image by Humankind

Image by Humankind

• Uses sodium fluoride
• Baking soda
• Silica
• Free of preservatives (like parabens), triclosan, gluten, and artificial dye

• Eco-friendly packaging, refillable, and carbon neutral shipping
• Preservative free

• For lots of folks used to mainstream toothpaste, tablets can feel strange at first
• Only direct-to-consumer at the moment, so can only find it via the website

Best cream

georganics Mineral Toothpaste Tea Tree

Image by georganics

Image by georganics

• Coconut oil
• Kaolin clay
• Vitamin E
• Tea tree oil
• Baking soda
• Shea butter
• Free of fluoride, SLS, parabens, microbeads, triclosan, and glycerin

• Jarred toothpaste can be less convenient and harder to travel with
• Only direct-to-consumer at the moment, so can only find it via the website

Best for those with a dry mouth

Weleda Salt Toothpaste

Image by Weleda

Image by Weleda

Certifications

Certified natural by NATURE

• Sea salt
• Silica
• Baking soda
• Blackthorn juice
• Ratanhia root extract
• Horse chestnut seed bark
• Peppermint oil
• Jojoba seed oil 
• Free of surfactants, synthetic preservatives (like parabens and triclosan), synthetic flavors, colorants, and raw materials derived from mineral oils.

• Helps improve saliva production

• While the peppermint helps, it does have a distinctly salty taste

Best organic

Dr. Bronner’s All-One Toothpaste

Image by Dr. Bronner’s

Image by Dr. Bronner’s

Certifications

Leaping Bunny Certified, NSF certified, Non-GMO verified, Certified Vegan, OTCO

Flavor(s)

Peppermint, Spearmint, Cinnamon, Anise

• Methol crystals
• Peppermint essential oil
• Coconut flour
• Coconut oil
• Aloe
• Free of fluoride, SLS, artificial colors, artificial flavors, carrageenan, preservatives, synthetic sweeteners, detergent foaming agents

• 70% organic ingredients & several Certified Fair Trade ingredients
• Comes in two sizes and four flavors
• Accessible and budget friendly

• Contains glycerin sourced from organic soy, in case you avoid that altogether

Best activated charcoal

Dirt Don’t Hurt All-Natural Activated Charcoal Tooth Powder

Image by Dirt Don’t Hurt

Image by Dirt Don’t Hurt

• Activated charcoal
• Bentonite clay
• Sage
• Turmeric
• Free of SLS, fluoride, and glycerin

• Effective whitening ingredients that won’t sensitive teeth or gums

• For those used to a paste, powders might take some getting used to: Wet brush, dip bristles into powder, brush, and rinse.
• Expensive

Best budget-friendly

Public Goods Toothpaste

Image by Public Goods

Image by Public Goods

• Silica
• Glycerin
• Coconut extracts
• Peppermint
• Free of fluoride, SLS, parabens, phthalates, or gluten, synthetic fragrance, or formaldehyde

• Contains sodium saccharin, a sweeter in case you avoid that

Best drugstore natural toothpaste

Burt’s Bees Purely White Zen Peppermint Toothpaste Fluoride-Free

Image by Burt’s Bees

Image by Burt’s Bees

Certifications

Leaping Bunny, Carbon Neutral Certified

• Silica
• Peppermint oil
• Free of SLS, triclosan, parabens, artificial flavors & sweeteners, dyes (blue, yellow, red) and plastic microbeads

• Affordable
• Landfill-free operations

• Contains stevia, in case you avoid that 

Best for sensitive teeth

Tom’s Of Maine Fluoride-Free Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste

Image by Tom’s Of Maine

Image by Tom’s Of Maine

• Purified calcium
• Arginine
• Silica
• Peppermint
• Baking soda
• Free of fluoride, paraban, triclosan, formaldehyde, artificial color, dye free, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavor, mineral oil, phthalate, SLES, PEG, DEA, microbeads, and gluten

• The formula has been studied clinically

• Contains coconut oil derived SLS

Best for children

Wellnesse Children’s Strawberry Toothpaste

Image by Wellnesse

Image by Wellnesse

• Silica
• Baking soda
• Aloe
• Free of sulfates, fluoride, paraban, triclosan, formaldehyde, mineral oil, phthalate, PEG, and microbeads

• Packaging is made with compostable sugarcane bioplastic

• Contains stevia if you avoid that for you and your family
• Pricey

As the leaders in clean beauty, we are diligent researchers into ingredients, formulas, and safety. We only recommend formulas we trust and would use ourselves. 

We’re also experts in overall health and longevity. Given oral health is very closely connected to digestive health, circulatory health, respiratory health, and full-body inflammation—we believe that prioritizing oral hygiene is critical.   

We also got this article and selections reviewed by functional dentist Meghna Dassani, DMD. Dassani is a specialist in sleep apnea, and her practice focuses on helping adult and pediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing get the treatment they need to live healthier, happier lives. Before attending Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University, Dassani operated a successful dental practice in Mumbai. For the past 18 years, she has been practicing in Houston, Texas.

There is no regulated definition of the word “natural” in the beauty or personal care industries. Often, it’s up to the brand to outline what they mean by it, what ingredients in their formulas are natural, and what they choose not to include. 

At mindbodygreen, we most often recommend clean and natural-leaning formulas. To us, “clean” means products that only use safe, gentle, yet effective ingredients—and leave out ingredients that have questionable safety profiles. Clean ingredients can be both natural and lab-derived. 

Natural ingredients are those that are extracted from the earth, such as minerals and botanicals. Many plant- and mineral-derived ingredients can be hugely beneficial for the body—sometimes more so than lab-derived ingredients. However, we do not think every formula needs to be 100% natural. In fact, there are many synthetic ingredients that are safe, effective, and useful. 

• Silica (hydrated silica): Silica is a safe ingredient that’s commonly found in natural, clean, and conventional formulas. It’s a mild abrasive that gently removes buildup, plaque, and stains.
• Nano-hydroxyapatite: In the absence of fluoride, clean and natural formulas turn to this innovative ingredient7 to strengthen enamel and remineralize the bone.
• Coconut oil: This is often added to formulas to help hydrate, fight free radicals, and improve the formula’s texture. Some studies indicate that oil-pulling with coconut oil can reduce plaque buildup8, improve the oral microbiome, and reduce inflammation.
• Aloe: Aloe is an anti-inflammatory botanical 9that can help improve gum health10.
• Baking soda: Baking soda is added to formulas as a pH balancer. Since the ingredient is alkaline, it can reduce acidity in the mouth11 (acidity can lead to tooth decay).
• Botanical flavors (such as peppermint essential oils): Most natural toothpastes flavor with extracts from fruits or herbs, such as peppermint. Sometimes they’ll use essential oils. (Note: Some folks find EOs irritating.)
• Plant-derived surfactants: In the place of SLES and SLS (sulfates), clean formulas turn to plant derived surfactants like coco glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine and lauryl glucoside.

Sulfates are powerful detergents that are ubiquitous in the personal care industry, from shampoos and hand washes to toothpastes. 

Given how strong they are, they can strip the skin, gum, and teeth of its protective elements—leaving it dry and vulnerable. They can also disrupt the oral microbiome, trigger inflammation, and cause flare-ups of oral conditions. 

There are much gentler cleaners on the market (such as plant-derived surfactants), so we encourage folks to try switching to sulfate-free options.

Fluoride is used to strengthen enamel and fight cavities (good things!). Some folks express concern about using it, as very high doses of fluoride can have adverse effects called fluoride toxicity.

This is why you should never swallow or eat fluoride toothpastes. (Please note: Fluoride is present in water, however, it would take a lot of fluoride to meet the threshold for toxicity.) Given its potential for toxicity, some choose to avoid it altogether—and instead opt for fluoride alternatives. 

Finally, some folks avoid it as it can trigger irritation for those who are sensitive. For example, some dermatologists note it can make perioral dermatitis worse. 

• Paraban
• Triclosan
• Formaldehyde & formaldehyde donors
• Artificial color
• Artificial sweeteners
• Artificial flavor
• Mineral oil
• Phthalate
• Sulfates, including SLS and SLES
• Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
• Microbeads
• Gluten (if you’re allergic or have sensitivities)
• Soy (if you’re allergic or have sensitivities)

You may not think much about your toothpaste, but you should! Oral health is critical to overall health. These are our favorite natural toothpastes.

Ready to learn about how to brighten that smile? Read all about how to whiten your teeth at home.